Species include; largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, hybrid bass, spotted bass, walleye, musky, yellow perch, bluegill, carp, and A trophy river without a doubt. During the spring run from February to May, look for Walleye where the New River enters the lake near Allisonia. The lake record Flathead Catfish of 58 pounds, 8 ounces was caught from the upper area of the lake. 540 731-8683, Mountain 2 Island at the Rock House Marina Located mid lake, east side, off Beach Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking. Moomaw has both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. WebClaytor Lake is the top destination for hybrids in Virginia, setting a new state record with a hybrid weighing 15 pounds, 13 ounces caught by local angler Don Jessie on March 16, Lake Chesdin received saugeye (Sauger x Walleye cross) fingerlings in 2013 and 2014 as well as Walleye in 2015, so anglers should be able to find sizeable fish. Claytor Lake bait populations (Alewife and Gizzard Shad) are high, aiding in the restoration of the Striped Bass fishery. Sport fishing is very popular at Claytor Lake. Brown trout to almost six pounds are being caught on live minnows at night, under the lights. Bass and catfish are "biting like crazy". Location and Fishing Information: Claytor lake is located in Pulaski County Virginia and covers just under 4,500 acres of surface area. A total of 13 Largemouth Bass over 20 were collected during 2020 sampling, indicating the lake is still producing good numbers of memorable bass. There are multiple different types of bass in this lake which make it home to some very good fishing. Its a scenic place to fish for a variety of species. but not as impressive as 2018 (71/hr.). Bluegill: 50 per day no length restrictions. There are limited numbers of White and Flathead Catfish, but these species make up a smaller portion of the catfish community. Anglers can find Largemouth Bass in coves throughout the lake, but the best places to fish are Peak Creek, Clapboard Hollow, and large coves in the lower lake area. Blue Catfish continue to increase, and anglers have begun to target them. W0CD;=+;q|M"V=hWE(bPmTHU.#E| K@@? The bass population seems to have recovered to a consistent and quality level. The yellows are eating anything from fly-line sardine and dropper-loop to the surface iron and yoyo jigs. Follow Route 605 until you reach Route 663 (Owens Road), go right on 663, then look for signs marking the park when you get near the lake. Anglers should target Alewife depth when fishing for bass, crappie, or trout. New to area and looking to spend some time with family along the water and teach em how to fish and be apart of the many wonders more that outdoors has to offer! Ideal for swimming, camping, hiking and picnicking, Claytor Lake is known for sport fishing and boating. Consequently, the striper population needed restructuring. Cabins & Lodges For more information on camping, cabins and lodges, please visit Claytor Lake State Park's website. The park has 15 cabins and 3 lodges that are perfect ways to stay overnight while enjoying all that Claytor Lake State Park has to offer. In 2021, the catch rate of preferred size (> 14) smallmouth was 17.8/hr. Since they tolerate higher temperatures, hybrids often chase schools of shad at the surface at night in summer. %PDF-1.6 % This strong year class and higher stocking densities should maintain a fishery that will provide a lot of action in coming years. Biologists collected 31 Walleye during fall 2021, and 45% were over 20 and legal. WebFishing licenses are also available in Radford at the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue: 619 2nd Street Radford, VA 24141 The Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue may also be reached at 540-731-3613. Yellowtail sightings are starting to become very consistent. Anglers should study the differences between these fish carefully. The survey yielded 65 preferred-sized bass ( 15) for a catch rate of 21.7/hr. Claytor Lake, a 4,363-acre impoundment of the New River, stretches northeastward across the Pulaski County countryside for 21 miles. The bass fishery is strong enough to support small scale tournaments weekly from spring-fall. In 2021, the catch rate of preferred size (> 15) largemouth was 14.3/hr. Experimental stockings the past few years have shown promise for more consistent survival. If those times wont work for you, 12:00AM to 12:00AM looks promising. Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Survival of both was excellent in 2021 based on gill net catch rate. As the season progresses and water temperatures increase, Walleye move deeper. With the possibility of catching Smallmouth, Largemouth, and Spotted Bass, Claytor Lake is popular with nearly 67% of lake anglers fishing for these three species of black bass. A variety of artificial habitat structures have been used since habitat efforts began in 2001 including spider blocks, dumbos, rock piles, Mossback habitat structures, and Christmas tree reefs. WebTake your boat out, or simply head for the dock to enjoy some early morning fishing on Claytor Lake. WebClaytor Lakes Largemouth Bass populations have been stable over the past 10 years. hXnF5A @[ XLTUn%)6m*>jg9;{sf`X2#Q)az9]I3gBxHLI/!x A1$4^c5[&x4 0E:-4Vbbykk~yUo.E(6uuf2/ozBl{M\y}4qYv$bDgNoqaoEg2:co>gytU$EyrL9lY\OVex12}k)e~1hU*4jx1U ZI48JODsVJ*Mf}M'%d!16TlOKHK Tournament bass > 4 pounds were 13% stocked. DWR is waiting for someone to claim the open state-record for saugeye, as the minimum qualifying weight is 6 pounds. Stripers - Still some night fishing from midnight till 2:30 AM bucktails and rapalas F-18 still the baits of choice. Bass anglers fishing South Holston Lake in 2022 should have an exceptional season. Some days, even the electrofishing boat has a difficult time boating a citation-sized bass! #4.25.5. NOTE: THERE IS A COST OF $7 TO PARK AT THE STATE PARK. Diascund Reservoir is another Newport News water supply. Claytor Lake State Park A robust forage base of Gizzard Shad, Alewife, White Perch and Bluegill support predators here. 660 of Dublin This body of water was created in 1939 and is named after a former Vice President of Appalachian Power, Graham Claytor, Sr. Bass: 5 per day, only 2 can be less than 14 inches. Spotted Bass are the most abundant, so they are more frequently caught. This was a minor decline from the 2020 (66/hr.). Catfish are abundant with the most common species being Channel and Blue Catfish. Lake Chesdin received supplemental F-1 bass stockings in 2020 and 2021 as part of a DWR program. Dublin VDWR Boat Launch Ramp Buffalo, Grassy, Bluestone, and Butcher Creeks are very productive for crappie. We depart on Wednesday night and return on Friday night. The Brown Trout fishery usually consists of three cohorts (separate annual stockings) when habitat suitability is present over multiple years. The 2019 survey revealed the highest catch rate of preferred-sized bass ( 15 inches) with a CPUE of 50/hr., while the 2020 survey came back down to earth at 16/hr. Walleye fishing remains the best in the Commonwealth; however, fishing success has declined recently possibly due to increasing pressure and a missing 2016 year class due to hatchery issues. Topwaters, plastic worms an Illegally stocked snakeheads can also be found in willow beds, and their abundance seems to be slowly increasing. Since Alabama Bass are not easily distinguished from Spotted Bass, size and creel limits on Spotted Bass are no longer in place at Claytor Lake. hbbd```b``5 i9d fb0Li`q/0LjI;@ DWR is working to determine the future ability of trout to survive in this aging reservoir. The crappie fishery has produced good size but low numbers for the past 20 years, limiting the fishery. This was minor improvement from 2020 (20/hr.). Catch rates for fish > 20 declined slightly in 2020 and again in 2021, although 2021 samples still yielded 13 bass > 20. However, in 2021 Walleye were stocked at a reduced rate, once again due to insufficient hatchery production. Fishing spots, fishing reports and regulations in. Written by the Aquatics Reservoir Committee Team, Edited by John Odenkirk. Marina Name: Mountain 2: Island at the Rock House Marina, Address: 3776 Rock House Rd, Pulaski, VA 24301, Address: 4734, 6620 Ben H Bolen Dr, Dublin, VA 24084, Website: https://www.claytorlakewatersports.com/. Convenience Store: YES Boat access to the lake is available for a small fee at private ramps at Claytor Lake State Park, Lighthouse Bridge, and at Conrad Brothers and Rockhouse Marinas on the Peak Creek arm of the lake. Find fishing tackle, live bait, fishing guides, fishing charters, campgrounds, and hotels near Claytor Lake. Striped Bass: 4 per day no less than 20 inches. The drawdown is scheduled to begin at one foot per day on Monday morning, November 4, until the lake reaches its full drawdown depth of five feet (1841 elevation) by Saturday morning, November 9. Also sign me up for tips and deals from the Omnia newsletter. This reservoir can be difficult to fish due to quickly rising and falling water and lack of submerged structure. Poor habitat conditions (low dissolved oxygen levels at their preferred temperature at depth) for Striped Bass in summer 2016 caused a striper kill, but, with four good habitat years since then, the Striped Bass population is recovering. along with two saugeye. Harrys Point also has a handicapped-accessible fishing pier, where many of the lakes species can be caught throughout the year. Summer trolling for Walleye and Channel Catfish in the main lake is productive and growing in popularity. The reservoir has potential to produce citation Yellow Perch and Black Crappie, and anglers with good electronics can sometimes find these schools. WebFishing at Claytor Lake, Virginia Fishing has also become a major attraction at Claytor Lake. Catch rates are good, with an average of 1.2/hr. Anglers can find Largemouth Bass in coves, but the best places are Peak Creek, Clapboard Hollow, and large coves in the lower end. An increasing number of kayak anglers have discovered this resource but should exercise caution on windy days. Most fish are 13-17, but there are bass to 22. For quite some time, Sandy River Reservoir has played second fiddle to its sister lake, Briery Creek, just down the road. g0u70FWMirYfuT54['D+ cg0h 5s[{O}'+? |tdOG/EOE$3N21GV#X^2|R2~bw >KH(@2\$b,JBV9Ty{i|0Vq1Mt@. Surveys in 2021 followed up on fast growing saugeye with females pushing 4-4.5 pounds in just 2.5 years. Bluegill and the occasional Channel Catfish round out the action. The Bowfin population is one of the best in Virginia. On the other-hand, today is a hell of a lot better day. This group is here to talk about all fishing at Claytor Lake. Brown Trout stocked in NovFeb at 67 grow to 1213 in six months. South Holston offers the best crappie fishing of all lakes in southwest Virginia. Anglers are encouraged to continue practice catch-and-release of trophy-size bass from the lake. From I-81, take Exit 101 (Claytor Lake) to State Park Road (State Route 660). Anglers are encouraged to check out fish habitat reefs that have been recently created by DWR. Team Supreme. Spotted Bass do not grow as large as the others rarely reaching 2 pounds, although the state record 4-pound, 12 ounce Spotted Bass was caught at here in January 2020. Community electrofishing is conducted every other year to assess the fishery and is next scheduled for 2022. Anglers fishing for black bass in the lake can use information collected during a bass food habits study at Claytor Lake to select lures and techniques for these species. Timing of surveys on Chickahominy Lake is critical to get a representative sample of larger fish. Additionally, DWR experimented with stocking steelhead Rainbow Trout from 2009 2017. It is illegal for anglers to move Alabama Bass from Diascund Reservoir and can only be held alive (in possession) if actively fishing a tournament. No Fishing Supplies (Bait & Tackle) Listed. Public Property. Overall, there have been some good reports this spring that provide hope for a rebound in striper numbers, with a noticeable presence of 28- to 32-inch stripers. COMBINED WEIGHT TOTAL OF 5 FISH (Including Large Mouth Bass, The reservoir has produced some trophy redear with most of these larger fish stacked up tightly during their spawn on the outside edges of flats. endstream endobj 264 0 obj <>stream The night survey also yielded a fair abundance of 10-19 bass. While most anglers troll or float live Gizzard Shad and Alewife, many are taken with topwater baits (Redfins, Rapalas, etc.) A large proportion of fish were 16-20. Read Fishing Reports. The crappie fishery could benefit from harvest of 8-10 fish instead of larger ones. and memorable size (> 17) was 5.2/hr. The use of outboard engines is prohibited, but trolling motors are permitted. Restaurant: YES, Claytor Lake Water Sports Striped Bass fishing improved since 2016 for both number and sizes and has been stable the past two years. Serious black bass anglers should add Moomaw to their must- fish list in 2022. The main forage base in Lake Moomaw consists of Gizzard Shad and Alewife. The Department maintains ramps at Allisonia (in the upper lake area) and near the entrance to the state park (Dublin Ramp). Spotted Bass with a Leland's Crappie Magnet Jig Heads, 5 lb. Anglers fishing for sunfish can find a variety of smaller sunfish including Redear, Redbreast, and Pumpkinseed, but Bluegill dominate. 13 oz. JJ is back in Santa Barbara and today he scored limits of nice Rockfish. Jigs and deep crankbaits for bass. While black bass and trout are the mainstay fisheries, anglers should also find favorable populations of Black Crappie, Bluegill, Chain Pickerel, and Channel Catfish. The 2021 spring electrofishing survey collected 191 Largemouth Bass for a catch rate of 64/hr. You are trying to access a feature that requires a Fishidy account. Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. The decline appeared to be from poor year classes but it has since recovered to historical highs. Buy Lowrance HDS Live Finder - Save Up To $800 on System Components. The 2020 net survey collected 456 crappie over two nights, and most fish were from two year classes with peaks of distribution centered on 8-9 and 10-11. Several small islands, numerous large points, and bridge crossings all add to the extreme variability of the topography. Hi guys, sorry for the lack of a report yesterday. Our moderators are 100% fisherman that fish Claytor Lake. Collections by biologists in 2019 yielded the highest catch rates of Largemouth Bass > 20 ever. The best areas are from the dam to mile marker 6, as most of the upper lake has poor habitat due to high discharge from Smith Mountain Lake. Limits of rockfish and 21 lingcod. Electrofishing catch rates of bass >15 are similar to neighboring Smith Mountain Lake. Largemouth Bass with a black n blue spinner. The improved population is a result of VDWR fisheries biologists restoring New River strain Walleye to the New River upstream from Claytor Lake. The most plentiful fish in the lake are bluegill, a form of sunfish. Philpott supports a variety of sport fish, but the most popular are Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, crappie, Walleye and various species of sunfish. Largemouth Bass in the 24 pound range are still common; however, density of those over four pounds has declined somewhat mainly due to reduced productivity of the system. The largest bass was 17. It is unclear why the drastic change after 20 years, so it is uncertain if this population will continue to sustain current numbers or will return to historical levels. Improved growth has allowed Striped Bass to grow better, and the catch of fish > 30 has doubled since 2016. The New River has opportunities to catch some of the top species in trophy sizes. Musky lures used ar This new format should result in consistent recruitment and abundance of legal fish (nearly 200,000 stocked annually). DWR stocks over 3,500 Channel Catfish annually to bolster this population. All rights reserved. VDWR biologists use the catch rate of Walleye in annual gill net samples as a measure of relative abundance. Boat docks, trees and fish habitat are the primary cover for fish and baitfish. Channel Catfish were the fourth most harvested fish with an estimated 2,692 fish. Since implementation of a 16-24 slot limit, abundance of bass in the slot has tripled and remained consistent. Submersed aquatic vegetation (primarily Hydrilla) has spread to several areas. Rentals: Fishing boats, pontoon boats, kayaks and canoes Lake Chesdin is a 3,100-acre impoundment located in Chesterfield and Dinwiddie Counties. Web1 Fishing Report and Edits Details for Claytor Lake . Also become a major attraction at Claytor Lake: fishing boats, pontoon boats, pontoon boats, kayaks canoes. Progresses and water temperatures increase, and Butcher Creeks are very productive for crappie 30 has since. Fishing South Holston Lake in 2022 should have an exceptional season buy Lowrance HDS finder... 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